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Department of DefenceHomePartner with usAccess our technologyFracRisk – A tool for structural probabilistic risk analysis (PRA) of fast fracture failure

FracRisk – A tool for structural probabilistic risk analysis (PRA) of fast fracture failure

FracRisk is a program that calculates the probability of failure due to fracture of a cracked metallic structure subjected to service load, based on the probabilistic distributions of key inputs such as the initial crack sizes, the load exceedance, the fracture toughness and the probabilities of crack detection and repair. 

The tool gives the probability of failures corresponding to the number of hours the structures is subjected to cyclic loads. The tool also calculates the reduced risk of failure when inspection and crack repairs are introduced.

FracRisk v1.5 application is available as freeware to registered users.

To install FracRisk, unzip the package and install. If you have any problems or queries, contact the author at

Related publications

AIAC14, Melbourne, Australia 2011

ACAM7, Adelaide, Australia 2012

AIAC15, Melbourne, Australia 2013

8th SIF, Melbourne, Australia 2013

9th SIF, Sydney, Australia 2014

AIAC16, Melbourne, Australia 2015

28th ICAF, Helsinki, Finland 2015

10th SIF, Adelaide, Australia 2016

AIAC17, Melbourne, Australia 2017

11th SIF, Perth, Australia 2018

9th EWSHM, Manchester, UK 2018

9th ASIP, San Antonio, Texas, USA 2019

Download FracRisk

Current FracRisk version: 1.5 - updated 15 June, 2022

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The Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) of the Department of Defence, Commonwealth of Australia does not guarantee the results from FracRisk. The use of FracRisk is provided on an “as is” basis and DSTG make no representation and give no warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including fitness for a particular purpose. The entire risk as to the quality and performance of FracRisk is with you. You indemnify and hold harmless DSTG and any of its contractors and subcontractors against any costs, including any claims for costs made by any person arising from your possession or use of FracRisk, or breach of this licence terms and conditions, or any related matter, including costs resulting from any products or processes based on or resulting from your use of FracRisk. If you choose to request a copy of FracRisk or download FracRisk, you are also agreeing to DSTG’s licence terms and conditions. The release of FracRisk is strictly controlled. FracRisk is not to be redistributed, under any circumstance, to third parties, without DSTG’s express written permission. Third parties are to directly obtain a copy of FracRisk via this website: www.dst.defence.gov.au/our-technologies/fracrisk-tool-structural-probabilistic-risk-analysis

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